Secretary of the Interior Haaland appointed a committee to find and re-name inappropriate, or worse, names on features in national parks. I recently put out a post praising the change in Grand Canyon from the old Indian Gardens to Havasupai Gardens. Here is my suggestion for another deserving name change.
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Sent June 22,2023
To: Andrea DeKoter, Committee Manager
Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names
Subject: Replacing an Inappropriate Name in Grand Canyon National Park
In the west end of the Park, there is a false, misleading name on a most significant, if little-known, feature. The existing name for this point -- Fort Garrett -- totally ignores the long history of the Southern Paiute in the Canyon and its vicinity. It needs to be removed and replaced by a name honoring the Southern Paiute.
There is not in the vicinity, nor ever has been, a fort or any military structure, or so far as I know, any military activity. The use of the word “fort” is a slur on those who lived here for centuries, and peacefully, and on the Grand Canyon as an environmental icon and world-wide attraction, itself with no military connections. “Garrett" is unidentified, possibly that of an itinerant cow hand. A ruin of a shack to the west down in Pearce Canyon also carries the false name.
The Point at issue, shown on the attached maps, reaches 6251’ at its southern end. With a distinctive outline as seen from above, it is the Westernmost High Point (WHP) of the main rim of the Grand Canyon. As such it should be recognized and publicized for its location and viewing platforms. Just as important, I believe, this WHP should be graced with an appropriate name from the Southern Paiute.
I have attached three maps to provide orientation and clarity for my suggestion.
